everything you know about cats?

Answer 1

Cats make wonderful pets. Because they're less demanding, they can easily adjust to a variety of lifestyles and living spaces. Every cat is a true individual, though, so it's important to take the time to choose a four-footed friend who's right for you. A cat's personality, age, and appearance, as well as the kinds of pets you already have at home, are all things you should keep in mind when making your selection:

Choose a Personality. Stroll past a few cat cages at the shelter, and you'll notice that some cats meow for special attention, while others simply lie back and gaze at you with an air of arrogance. There are as many different personalities of cats as there are cats in the shelter. Which disposition is best for you? You have to decide.

But regardless of individual personality, look for a cat who's playful, active, alert, and comfortable while being held and stroked. At the shelter, ask an adoption counselor for assistance when you wish to spend some time with individual cats.

Kitten or Cat? As a general rule, kittens are curious, playful, and full of energy, while adult cats are more relaxed and less mischievous. Kittens also require more time to train and feed. Cats are only kittens for a few months, though, so the age of the cat you adopt should really depend on the level of maturity you're looking for. Young children usually don't have the maturity to handle kittens responsibly, so a cat who's at least four months old is probably the best choice for homes with kids under six years old.

Short-haired or Long? Cats can have long, fluffy coats or short, dense fur, and the choice between the two is chiefly a matter of preference and availability. You'll see more short-haired cats at the shelter since they're the most popular and common cats. One thing to keep in mind is that long-haired cats require frequent grooming to be mat-free. Felines with short coats also require brushing, though less frequently, and they'll leave less hair on your favorite recliner. Most cats enjoy a regular brushing and will look forward to this daily ritual with you.

Room For One More

Other than those few considerations, selecting the right feline companion for you is really just a matter of meeting the cats at the shelter yourself.

If you already own a cat or dog, you're probably wondering how easy it is to add a cat to the family. The good news is that cats can get along with other cats and—despite the common stereotype—most dogs can get along with cats. The bad news is, introducing a new cat to a home with other pets will require some patience on your part.

The best way to handle adding a new cat to the home is to provide time for a period of adjustment. You can do this effectively by isolating your new feline in a room of his own for a while—something that's a good idea for a new cat anyway.

After several days, supervise meetings between the animals for periods of increasing length. Most cats will soon learn to accept each other, and some may quite possibly become the best of buddies. Some dogs simply won't tolerate the presence of a cat, but by carefully introducing them, most problems can be solved.

Be Responsible!

Regardless of the cat you choose, you'll want to start being a responsible pet owner right away. The easiest way to do that is to keep your cat indoors with you from the very beginning. If you don't let your new friend outside, he'll never miss it, and will have a much better chance of still being around to sit on your lap a few years from now.

The other big staple of responsible cat ownership is having your female cat spayed or your male cat neutered. Spaying or neutering will ensure that your cat never adds to the millions of animals born each year who never find a good home. It'll also help him or her live a longer, healthier life.

Adopt a Cat for Life

Finally, remember that you're making a commitment to love and care for your new pet for his or her lifetime—which could mean 10, 15, even 20 years. So choose your new pal carefully and be a responsible pet owner. In no time at all, you'll know how wonderful sharing your home with a cat can be.

Answer 2

Each cat is somewhat different. Cats are different than dogs. They run on their own time and their own schedule. You don't have to be around for them to be happy where with a dog it would rather you be with it all the time and play. You can leave a cat in or out and leave it some food and water and it will be fine for a while. Some cats take many naps during the day and they don't play much where others very playful and run around. So far I have had no trouble litter training a cat. Basically all I do is put a litter box in a room, place the cat in it one time to let it smell it and figure out what to do and ta da I'm done. Then again others may be harder to do. Cats like to scratch A LOT especially furniture so you may want to get a scratching post unless you get it declawed. Be careful with having a cat fixed (not that it is harmful to the cat or a bad idea but with all animals they tend to become fat due to over eating.) If you are thinking about getting a cat or you just got a cat and need some information go to http://www.drlarrypetvet.com/allaboutcats.html or http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_Health.html or http://www.petstation.com/catlib.html.

Answer 3

never use a covered litter box
use softclaws do NOT declaw
they are the best pets ever
you don't need to give them baths (haha dogs!!!)
you don't need to let them out to pee (haha dogs!!!)
adopt your cat from a shelter to save him
ALWAYS spay or neuter
they like to run around screaming a hour every day
my cat growls at pest control
and barks at racoons...
and skunks....
and when looking at another cat she forgets I'm a human and lashes out.
get the sweetest kitten there. all kittens play.
if you get a rowdy kitten, prepare for having scars for life. hehe.
but don't declaw your rowdy cat.
make sure you just put softpaws on there claws. there like little plastic things that you put on cat's claws
things to entertain them:
plastic bags
paper bags
bubble wrap (freaks them out! lol)
a baggie of exploding catnip (that took a while to totally get out of the carpet hehe)
let the kitty sit on one side of the couch, then throw a jingly ball over the couch. they go ballistic and leap over the couch to get the jinglyball!
big flip flops to poke their heads through
tie a string to the back of their leg and tie a balloon to the string. they think the balloon is after them!
more later... mayybe?
hope i helped!!!

~Miscrosoft Sam

Answer 4

hmm. i've had my cat for 11 yrs...this is what I know:
As cats grow older they develop such enormous personalities (felinalities) that if they were as large as there ego it would not permit them fitting through the door.
keep the litter box clean
feed twice daily
Do not forget the water...ever.
give lots of love
My cat is bad...if she does not get attention she leaves surprises in certain corners of the house.
and there are more details but I don't have the time right now..........

Answer 5

small brain, smelly, stupid, nasty, little mini shredders, carriers of filthy diseases, flea bags, bird maimers, murderer and torturer of small animals, lazy, stupid, cute as kittens but then they grow into cats.

They won't crawl in anything that their whiskers won't fit through.
Used by the "occult"
Thought to be EVIL during the middle ages and then the EU's were run over by rats and the fleas from the rats and remaining cats were the cause of the spread of the Black Death.

Answer 6

it would take too long, search websites, go to the library, book stores and read. it's amazing what you learn. I've read a ton of cat books.

Answer 7

tireless action addicts
Curious
always into something
love breezes but not AIR
like have their feet wet but not their body
not like a dog
clean yet very dirty
entertaining
females are better
play ful
feral - regardless all it takes is the proper upbringing

Answer 8

Do your own research before you get a cat.

Answer 9

they shed alot, but are fun to play with, they leave stinky poo in a box, but make great foot warmers, you never know if they are your friend but they make you feel like a million dollars when the snuggle up to you for a scratch under their chin.....

Answer 10

They have the best personalities and need little maintenance. They make great companions.